Page 34 of The Bratva's Innocent Pregnant Bride
“We’ll be fine,” I said, dropping a kiss on her tousled hair.
She nodded against my chest, for once not finding something to argue about. I was certain her feisty nature would return once the glow subsided, or maybe I could just keep usconfined to this blanket nest until the storm cleared. I didn’t mind her shouting in this circumstance.
With a contented laugh, I drew her even closer. “Just for warmth,” I teased.
She thumped me gently. “We’ll see about that.”
I was this close to opening my mouth to say something incredibly foolish. True, but foolish. Instead, I tipped up her chin and kissed her, showing her exactly who was in charge now.
Chapter 22 - Paisley
Yes, I had probably lost my mind, jumping on Dan like that. But in the grand scheme of things, with my shady corporation out there killing people off of a list I was surely next on, this wasn’t the worst mistake I could have made. I was nice and warm in Dan’s arms, which was definitely better than stubbornly trying to sleep on that hard bench all alone.
I was more than warm, I was burning up and loving it. The little voice of reason in my head was good and silent as I basked in Dan’s kisses. The night at the resort was no fluke. He wasn’t just the best I’d ever had because I had no one to compare him to. I was convinced now, with my body still tingling, that I’d probably never be with another man who could do what Dan did.
That should have pissed me off, or been severely depressing. He was still bossy and insufferable and would probably revert to making me miserable the moment we were rescued and back in the lodge. But that wasn’t on my mind right now when his hand was sliding down my belly on a mission.
I could hate him again when we were back to normal. None of this was real, anyway, just an interlude that could have been full of anxiety and discomfort, huddled alone trying to stay warm in front of the rapidly dying fire. I would much rather enjoy what he had to offer than be consumed with the bleak outlook of my life when this job was done. Why did I want to think about having to go on the run when Dan’s fingers found the spot that had me gasping again?
Nope, this was better, at least for now.
After yet another amazing display of his prowess, we eventually fell asleep, cozy under the blankets despite their roughness and warm even when the fire died completely. Thenext morning I woke up to icy toes since I’d rolled over and stretched out, one foot breaking free of the covers.
I yanked it back under and rolled to cuddle up to Dan’s furnace of a chest. He lazily swung his arm around me, then hissed when my foot touched his leg. With a laugh, he pulled my leg up and began chafing my toes to warm them up.
I lay there watching him rub my foot, not certain he was the same guy who relentlessly teased me the last few days. Was he secretly sweet? He certainly wasn’t being secretive about it now, finally getting up to put the last few logs in the stove and stoking a fire. Strolling around in all his naked glory like it wasn’t around fifty degrees in the cabin, he filled up the kettle and put it on the stove so we could have morning coffee.
“I’d give half my fortune for a toothbrush,” he teased.
I was sure my breath was on par, so it hardly mattered. “I’d give half your fortune for more firewood,” I said seriously.
Getting out of the tangle of blankets, I hurriedly got my long underwear back on and pulled one of the curtains aside. There were snow drifts up past the level of the glass, and everywhere as far as I could see. It was still coming down, but much slower, and there was a faint ball of sun trying its hardest to break through the clouds. Tiny flakes landed on the glass, the beautiful crystals shining against the weak sunlight before melting.
“I think it’s warming up outside, but it’s still snowing.”
Dan nodded, getting dressed and trying the front door. Thankfully it opened inward or we would have been truly trapped. Two feet of snow greeted us, some of it tumbling in. Dan jumped back like he was dodging the tide, but resolutely put his clothes and boots on.
“Are you crazy?” I asked.
“You’ve asked me that before,” he told me. “I would think you’d know the answer by now. We need firewood.”
With his long, muscular legs straining and his gloved hands swiping away as much of the thickly packed powder as he could, he managed to get several yards from the door. Turning in a circle, he smiled and turned back to me.
“There’s a shed. I’ll be back—eventually.”
“Oh for goodness’ sake,” I muttered, pulling my snowpants and parka back on.
I followed the path he made and caught up with him, still trudging with great effort toward the woodshed. At least I hoped there was wood in it.
“Now who’s the crazy one?” he asked with a scowl when he heard me struggling through the ravine he created.
“I can’t not help out,” I argued.
“Of course you can. Get back inside.”
“Quit being sexist. I’m as strong as you are.”
He cracked up at that, then took a long look around him. “It’s certainly beautiful out here, isn’t it?” he asked, his gaze settling on me.
